William's Song a Day Blog - est. September 2007

831 ( Kansas - Carry On Wayward Son ) I felt like some Progressive Rock today. Carry On Wayward Son is of the songs from the Prog/Rock genre that actually penetrated into the mainstream; it's one of Kansas' most famous hits. This is one of their more fun songs to play along with, mostly due to the distinct melodies and riffs in each section of the song. Here is the studio version on YouTube. Here is a music video on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: John Denver - The Eagle and the Hawk My song pick two years ago today: Three Dog Night - Liar +

830 ( Eric Idle - F--- Christmas ) Am beginning to put up the Christmas decorations today and this tongue-in-cheek tune just seemed perfect for the occasion. All of us, at one time or another, this Holiday season will have at least one of those " Grinch " moments in having to deal with the problems and hassles associated with it. Anyway, this song was written and performed by Eric Idle, who is one of the actors from the legendary British comedy show Monty Python. Here is a live recording on YouTube. Many "F" bombs in this one. (NSFW) My song pick a year ago today: Otis Redding - (Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay My song pick two years ago today: The Kinks - Celluloid Heroes +

829 ( Northern Kings - Hello ) A while ago I found out about this band through researching the European Metal bands that I am a fan of. Northern Kings are a supergroup made up of: Marco Hietala (bassist/vocals for Nightwish and Tarot among others), Tony Kakko (Vocalist for Sonata Arctica), Jarkko Ahola (Vocalist/Bassist for Teräsbetoni among others), and Juha-Pekka Leppäluoto (Vocalist for Charon among others). Anyway, Northern Kings are a side project for these musicians in which they come together to make covers of songs in their unique style of Metal. This was one of their songs that caught my attention immediately, it is their cover of the famous song by Lionel Richie, which can be found here on YouTube. They did an excellent job with their interpretation of the song, the lyrics and chord progression do not get lost at all in the conversion to Symphonic Metal. Here is the studio version on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Jethro Tull - Fallen On Hard Times My song pick two ...

828 ( Steely Dan - Black Friday ) It seems as if I am choosing quite a bit of Steely Dan as of late, it has just seemed right. They are one of my older favorite bands; I have been listening to their music for most of my life. I could not let today go without choosing this one concerning economic disaster for the occasion with it being Black Friday and all. This is the day, (the Friday after Thanksgiving), which most retail businesses are supposed to actually start to turn a profit for the fiscal year and go out of the "red" and into the "black," hence "Black Friday." Hear Black Friday on YouTube. Here is a live performance on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Ozzy Osbourne - I Just Want You My song pick two years ago today: Quiet Riot - Cum On Feel The Noize +

827 ( Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble - Crossfire ) Been meaning to choose this song for quite a while now and I feel like adding it today. This is one of those rare songs that is liked across many genres and can be played in mixed company without problems. I love this song in almost every aspect, it is wonderfully arranged and performed. Watch the music video on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: 4 Non Blondes - What's Up? My song pick two years ago today: Jethro Tull - ...And The Mouse Police Never Sleeps +

826 ( Nightwish feat. Tapio Wilska - The Devil & the Deep Dark Ocean ) I have been listening to a lot of Progressive/Symphonic Metal as of late, Nightwish is one of the bands that keeps coming up. This is another one of their songs that features Tapio Wilska in a duet with Tarja Turunen; the contrasting vocals and styles complement each other extremely well. I really like the fusion of Metal and classical/Opera in this one. Jukka Nevalainen's drumming is one of my favorite aspects of this song; he is simply amazing with that double kick. Here is the studio version on YouTube. My song pick a year go today: Mason Proffit - Two Hangmen My song pick two years ago today: Frank Zappa - Don't Eat The Yellow Snow +

825 ( Antonio Salieri - Requiem in C-Minor (Piccolo Requiem) ) This is a piece of music that I have been meaning to add to my list for a bit now and it just seemed right today. Ever since I first heard Salieri's music I was amazed by the sheer amount of passion that he put into it; I have since become a fan of his music. Salieri is the composer that has been vilified in pop culture as the rival of Mozart. While it is historically accurate that he did get in the way of Mozart, it was not even close to the extent that it has been portrayed. This, of course, is the music for a Funeral Mass, which is an extremely beautiful piece of music. I find that often if I like music from the Classical period, (from the mid 1700's to early 1800's), it is usually the requiems. However, there are many other pieces in different types of composition from this period that I like a lot as well. The entire piece of music is on YouTube and in sections, the links to all are belo...